John Calipari isn't shy about touting his former players, especially those who with lofty expectations. Hello, Anthony Davis.

As the U.S. national team prepares for Saturday's first game in the world championships, Calipari is stumping for Davis, a big man with a big future. While hyperbole can excused, Calipari isn't exaggerating.

Anthony Davis (AP Photo)

"Right now, you look at (Davis) and say, 'Man, in five years, he could be the best player in the NBA,' " Calipari told CBS Sports. "And this USA Basketball stuff pushes that date sooner. Again, here's what it does for him: how to work, new things to add to his game, and confidence like, 'These are the best in the world, so I'm all right.' "

Working with Mike Krzyzewski helps; playing with some of the best players in America raises the bar.

Davis, 21, who plays for the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans, is providing an enticing body of work heading into the tournament. Team USA begins Saturday against Finland.

On hand to witness: Monty Williams, coach of Davis and the Pelicans and a Krzyzewski assistant for the U.S. team. Williams calls Davis "a lead dog among a number of alpha dogs."

"Mentally, he has taken it up a few notches, and I think Coach K has been a big part of that, pushing him to be a leader, pushing him to be a guy on the team," Williams said. "You think about the names on this team, and you look at the impact on the game that he has, and you seldom say there's a better player on the floor than Anthony. That's got to help him from a confidence standpoint…and I think that's just going to help us going forward."

Team USA will need all the leadership it can get. Not only will the competition be strong in this FIBA tourney in Spain, but the Americans are minus a number of elite players. Paul George's gruesome injury reinforced fear among NBA owners about letting their best players take part.

Speaking on a conference call Thursday, Davis said he had no qualms.

''I love playing for USA Basketball,'' Davis said. ''I think some guys look at that they don't get paid so they don't have to play or whatever. Anytime I get a chance to represent my country, especially for a country that do so much for us. I think it's a great opportunity to show your appreciation.

'''The whole thing with the Paul George's injury affected everybody. That was a gruesome injury and it kind of affected all of us, even guys who weren't playing. At that time, we definitely didn't want to finish the game after seeing one of our brothers go down like that. But now, we know that he's doing fine and we've got to move forward and try to win the gold for him.''